alth for my preceptor according to my covenant.' And the
king said, 'O Holy One, tell me what thy covenant is.' And thereupon the
Brahmana said, 'O king, in this world when men are asked for alms, they
entertain contempt for him that asketh it. I therefore, ask thee, O king,
with what feelings thou wilt give me what I ask and upon which I have set
my heart.' And the king replied saying, 'Having given away a thing, I
never boast of it. I never also listen to solicitations for things that
cannot be given. I listen, however, to prayers for things that can be
given and giving them away I always become happy. I will give thee a
thousand kine. The Brahmana that asks me for a gift is always dear to me.
I am never angry with the person that begs of me and I am never sorry for
having given away a thing!' And the Brahmana then obtained from the king
a thousand kine and went away."

SECTION CLXLV

Vaisampayana said, "The son of Pandu again addressed the Rishi and said,
'Speak thou unto us of the high fortune of royal Kshatriyas!' And
Markandeya said, 'There were two kings of the name of Vrishadarbha and
Seduka and both of them were conversant with morals and with weapons of
attack and defence. And Seduka knew that Vrishadarbha had from his
boyhood an unuttered vow that he would give no other metal unto Brahmanas
save gold and silver. And once on a time a Brahmana having completed his
study of the Vedas came unto Seduka and uttering a benediction upon him
begged of him wealth for his preceptor, saying, 'Give me a thousand
steeds.' And thus addressed, Seduka said unto him, 'It is not possible
for me to give thee this for thy preceptor. Therefore, go thou unto king
Vrishadarbha, for, O Brahmana, he is a highly virtuous king. Go and beg
of him. He will grant thy request. Even this is his unuttered vow.'
Hearing these words that Brahmana went to Vrishadarbha and begged of him
a thousand steeds, and the king thus solicited, struck the Brahmana with
a whip and thereupon the Brahmana said, 'Innocent as I am, why dost thou
attack me thus?' And the Brahmana was on the point of cursing the king,
when the latter said, 'O Brahmana, dost thou curse him that doth not give
thee what thou askest? Or, is this behaviour proper for a Brahmana?' And
the Brahmana said, 'O king of kings, sent unto thee by Seduka, I come
before thee for this.' The king said, 'I will give thee now whatever
tribute may come to me before the morning expire. How indeed,